Really sorry to hear this. I just can't wrap my brain around high altitude brewing, I have always had surprisingly good result with low temp brews from the AeroPress so I wonder if playing with a finer grind (might have to do less then a full pot) and playing with timing with the manual brew might help. I have some time today so I will do a few pots at 195f and see what happens.

1st pot was brewed with .6L water and 36g (I have been increasing % of grounds with 1/2 pots) ground to table salt or slightly finer, done at 194f and 1:20min pre soak.

2nd pot, .6L water and 36g coffee ground the same, 194f, manual release with out pot in for 20 sec to let the grounds steep for 25sec, insert pot and release the rest of the water.

The first cup is sour and only got worse as the cup cooled, not a very good cup of coffee. The 2nd cup had a better balance of bitter, not a great cup but drinkable. I think with more experimenting you could find a formula that will allow you to use your Brazen in manual mode.

I am sure many are doing this but I just discovered it for myself. My first step is to fill the reservoir to desired amount then hit manual release and start, water begins to heat while I get everything else ready, when ready I just hit off and start again to brew automatic. The added bonus for us easily distracted people is the water will heat to temp and hold for 10min until I remember I was making a pot of coffee.

1st pot was brewed with .6L water and 36g (I have been increasing % of grounds with 1/2 pots) ground to table salt or slightly finer, done at 194f and 1:20min pre soak.

2nd pot, .6L water and 36g coffee ground the same, 194f, manual release with out pot in for 20 sec to let the grounds steep for 25sec, insert pot and release the rest of the water.

The first cup is sour and only got worse as the cup cooled, not a very good cup of coffee. The 2nd cup had a better balance of bitter, not a great cup but drinkable. I think with more experimenting you could find a formula that will allow you to use your Brazen in manual mode.

Rob...wouldn't you want a bit finer for the manual brew? Are you using paper or the gold filter?Surely, my good friend you must realize 194 is a recipe for potentially sour coffee?

I brew between 199 and 201, depending of course on the particular coffee I'm brewing up.As I don't use the manual function hardly at all (I do Chemex or Hario for that) I'm behind the curve on your measurments.

Yes, and I appreciate the experimentation on my behalf. I have run a couple tests using manual but still get poor results. After trying a few pots with a medium-course grind I've started running right on the edge of espresso settings on my Breville.

I have been able to get some decent cups out of an Aerobie taken right off the boil, and was hoping to get similar results with the Brazen with the ability to brew a couple cups at once.

I think there is probably a limit to the Brazen at 8000', but I'll give it another week and some attempts with some fresher coffee that should be in soon. Another limiting factor is that I don't have a scale, so have a little variability there.

Yes, and I appreciate the experimentation on my behalf. I have run a couple tests using manual but still get poor results. After trying a few pots with a medium-course grind I've started running right on the edge of espresso settings on my Breville.

I have been able to get some decent cups out of an Aerobie taken right off the boil, and was hoping to get similar results with the Brazen with the ability to brew a couple cups at once.

I think there is probably a limit to the Brazen at 8000', but I'll give it another week and some attempts with some fresher coffee that should be in soon. Another limiting factor is that I don't have a scale, so have a little variability there.

It stinks you are not able to get the benefit from the Brazen at your high altitude but I wish you luck finding a formula that will work. I have brewed with the Aerobie as per directions using 175f water and was surprised at how smooth the cup was although I prefer using hotter brew water. The other thing I was thinking was how many crappy coffee makers I have had or had cups out of that don't even brew as hot as 195f but sadly that info is not brewing a better pot for you.

Jason, have you ever tried cold brew coffee? http://www.toddycafe.com/ no reason to buy a Toddy IMO but the site has plenty of info and brewing ratios, I just use a 1/2 gal mason jar, a strainer to get big grounds then pour through a paper coffee filter. I make it for iced coffee but it makes a nice concentrate that you can dilute to taste and warm for a hot cup. This is not a method I use fresh tasty beans with but when they are getting old or I do not care for the flavor they go into the cold brew pile.

A cool fyi then.....a 1.6oz shot glass, filled to the top with beans, weighs 14 grams. I use one to measure my 33 grams for 600ml using a Jennings pocket scale which is very accurate. So it works out to 2 filled glasses plus about 1/4 :)

.1g scales can be had for cheap on eBay. I've been using one for years with each pot, and wouldn't consider not weighing beans. But I realize some brewing methods, and personal taste, is more forgiving. If you can afford a Brazen you should be able to swing a scale.

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